6 Days In The Jagungal Area

[glenpandrews]

Howdy Folks,
Recently got back from 6 days in the Jagungal area, January 11-16.
The original plan was to start at Thredbo, go over the main range, and visit some off piste huts we'd not seen before en route to Mt Selwyn. The weather forecast looked rainy pretty much every day, and a 6 day rainy hike with many nights in remote areas didn't seem the best idea, so we moved to a Plan B which saw us putting the tents up next to a Hut every night. Hence we can cook and enjoy a fire and company each night. I was testing some new gear on this trip, with a lighter pack, tent, sleeping bag and pad. Dry weight 15.0kg inc food. Not exactly light, but a lot better than my normal 18-20 dry (I am 191cm and 85kg).

Starting at Round Mountain we set off for Grey Mare on Day1 at 10AM. One of our party was suffering terrible calf cramps that would not abate, and at 7km he pulled the pin and turned back. Another of our party accompanied him for safety reasons, and we were 6 down from 8. We had a largely dry day, however about 2 hours before sunset and an hour before getting to the Hut, the rain came in. Jackets on and we plugged it out. A long day give all the runaround with managing the retiring walker. There was a party of three already there (with their tents up); we set our tents up and then enjoyed the fire and shelter to cook, dry our things and chill out together. We got stormed / rained on in our tents that night, but we all held up well and dry - tick! About a 25km day, with some runaround.

Day2's plan was to get to Mawsons Hut, which we did, kind of. A couple of our remaining 6 were concerned at how stuffed they felt on Day1 and didn't think they were up for the next 5 reasonably full on days. So we agreed a neat PlanC, which was that we all went to Valentines hut whereupon 3 of the party would have a rest afternoon while the other 3 continued on to Mawsons Hut. We'd then meet up again on Day3. This worked well, great walking weather, we arrived at Valentines at 1PM and then 3 of us set off for Mawsons at 2PM. I was a bit apprehensive after my brother failed to get to Mawsons last year by following the river, however the directions I got from members of this forum when I put up a post asking for help were sensational. We walked in to Mawsons off-piste in 2 Hours 10 minutes. We have a bit of a laugh when we walk and rate the trails, or tundra, or bush bashes, on a 1-5 scale (1 easiest, 5 hardest). We rented the walk into Mawsons (the correct way) as a tundra category 2 with some patches of 3. We arrived just after 4PM under dark clouds and threat of a storm, however the storm didn't arrive until about 6PM. Sensational storm viewing, great views of Jagungal, a super hut and overall top experience. We slept on the floor in the hut this night. About 14km today (4.5 off piste)

Day3 was a walk back to Grey Mare. We'd agreed with the Valentine-3 that they could set off whenever they were ready. We all arrived at Grey Mare at about midday. The Mawsons to Valentines return took 1 Hour 35 Minutes. Spent the afternoon chilling out, exploring the gold mining relics etc, cutting some firewood (damn those saws are blunt!) and decide how days 4-5 would play out. Plan C was further adapted, and we decided to go out to Round Mountain. We'd go to O'Keefe's, then some of us would do an our and back to Mackays Hut, then on Day6 we'd walk back along the Round Mountain Fire Trail. We later changed that to go our via the Farm Ridge Fire Trail, which was a great decision. Slept in tents this night. Also 14km today.

Day4: Great walking conditions to O'Keefes Hut, sunny and cool. Arrived just after midday. A relaxing afternoon talking, adjusting things, eating, drinking and being merry. Another 14km today...

Day5: Out and back to Mackays Hut. Saw a couple of snakes, which was mainly due to the fact that I ran 14km and startled them (I had gaiters and all required safety gear). I set off at 730 in my running gear and ran to Mackays Hut, then turned around to meet 4 of the others who'd started walking at 8. Then the 5 of us went to Mackay's (again, for me). I was trialling Salomon Cross Hike as a hybrid style boot that should be good as a trail runner. It was - tick. Enjoyed the walk and the hut, and got back to O'Keefes for lunch and a relaxing afternoon. 27k for me today, including running.

Day6: Left O'Keefes hut at 8AM and enjoyed a lovely 15km walk back to Round Mountain via the Farm Ridge Fire Trail. The trail was in great shape, easy walking. Lovely low grass covered trail, pleasing to the eye, easy to follow etc. A welcome change from the Round Mountain FT which I've done more than a dozen times. The massive wide open valley toward then end with a stunning Tumut River made the route choice worth it all by itself, what a great piece of country! Arrived back at the car at about midday, another cruisy afternoon! An early mark and off home. Well, for most of us. My mate and I got a puncture in our car and had to stay overnight in Cooma waiting for a new tyre, oh well...
The new pack, tent, sleeping bag and pad went great. Next time, shooting for a dry weight of 14.0 or less!

[jtmiske]

I think I've got whiplash from all the plan changes . Thanks for the report and sounds like a great trip (and use of huts!) Walking in the Jagungal area is on my list for this year.